The Kings Way - Derech Hamelech

What is The King’s Way – Derech Hamelech?

The King’s Way – Derech Hamelech is a vocational training and mentoring program for youth who are referred to ELEM by Youth Probation Services. Youth are assigned a caring adult mentor and are placed in a vocational training program or given a job with a local business in the community. This support provides tools and mentors life skills.

New Trend

Increasing difficulty for youth under the age of 18 to integrate into the world of employment- this year we identified the preference of employers to hire older young adults, due to their perception of youth as employees that can not be relied upon and due to the restrictions of the law governing youth employment. The direct implication of this phenomenon is the growing number of teenagers who are unable to find work, or integrate into unsafe work that is disrespectful of their rights and work dealing with “black” money.

Who is served?

The King’s Way – Derech Hamelech serves alienated youth, ages 14 – 25, many of whom have broken the law. There are thousands of teens and young adults living in Israel today whose situations deteriorate due to a lack of a supportive family, school or employment.

Achievements for 2018

Expansion of services that are customized for specific populations, such as Bedouins and the Ultra-Orthodox/Chareidi community.

Expansion of the range of study options in the vocational training program.

980 young people were helped in 2018, an increase of 8% over the preceding year.

85% continued in further training at the end of their program.

In 2018, ELEM expanded work in the Ultra-Orthodox community. One project conducted was “Ateret Tiferet” which assists at-risk teen girls and young women in Ultra-Orthodox society. The project seeks to locate the girls, build their trust and provide ongoing personal guidance.

Expansion and Development Goals

Run the project as a partnership with the Youth and Young Adult department of the Ministry of Social Affairs and the local authorities.

Further expand the project and vocational experiences to the Bedouin population in the regional council of Al Kasum and the Ultra-Orthodox/Chareidi population in Modiin Illit and Beitar Illit.

Develop additional employment options for youth in other ELEM programs.